HM receives letters of credence

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 28: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev received letters of credence from ambassadors-designate of Thailand and Ukraine to the Kingdom of Nepal Phenchome Incharoensak and Dr. Oleh Semenets respectively amidst special functions held separately at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today.Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Chief Justice Kedar Nath Upadhyaya, Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Rana Bhat, Chairman of the Raj Parishad Standing Committee Parshu Narayan Chaudhari, heads of other constitutional bodies and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narendra Bikram Shah were also present on the occasion.After the credential ceremony, His Majesty the King received in audience the ambassadors of Thailand and Ukraine separately at the Narayanhity Royal Palace.

Tourism mainstay of future economy: Mandal

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 28: The ailing Nepalese tourism industry is gearing up for revival along with the policy revision as well as new political development.

"As Nepal has her distinct identity and tourism products, the tourism industry is the mainstay of our future economy," said Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal said.

Addressing an inaugural function of the Silver Jubilee Year 2003 of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) here today, Mandal emphasized the need to expand adventure tourism, especially trekking, to new areas. He also sought support from the business community to bring permanent peace in the country.

The tourist arrivals in Nepal have decreased significantly since 2000 due to various domestic and international reasons. The main causes were the Maoist insurgency in Nepal and the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US. The number of trekkers decreased by 13 per cent and 35 per cent in 2001 and 2002 respectively as comparative to figures of the previous years.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Prasad Sharma hoped that political stability would be restored in the country as the peace process has been initiated.

Showing concerns over the on-going illegal practices, Sharma asked TAAN to identify ways on how to check them.

Disclosing new policies, Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabi Bhakta Shrestha said the government would cancel the provision of environmental officers.

The government has already removed the provision of the environmental officers in Manaslu and Upper Dolpo areas considering complaints from both the trekking agents and the trekkers. But it is still applicable for Mustang, Humla and Darchula districts.

Shrestha said that the opening of all the restricted areas for trekking and more than a dozen mountain peaks for expedition together with the removal of the provision of liaison officers for peaks below 6, 500 metres, and five river systems for rafting would help in diversifying tourism.

He informed that the government has received positive responses from China to also allow trekking agents to handle Chinese tourists.

Lawmaker and former President of TAAN, Yankila Sherpa said that the industry has tremendous capacity to endure the recession that has affected not only agents but also porters and guides.
Lauding the role of diplomatic missions in disseminating positive messages about Nepal in their respective countries, Sherpa said that ceasefire has generated hopes and renewed vigour among entrepreneurs.

TAAN founder President, Tek C. Pokharel opined that since Nepal has to compete with countries such as India and Pakistan, it has to improve facilities and services.

Speaking from the chair, TAAN President Suman Pandey said that the association would work to give a boost to the tourism sector by holding a number of events on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee Celebration.

Pandey suggested that all peaks below 6,000 metres should be declared as free climbing zone and peaks up to 6, 5000 as trekking peaks. "Peaks in the far and remote areas, which are yet to be popular among tourists, should be allowed to climb freely until they gain popularity."

He said that TAAN would do everything it can to make Nepal a more popular destination.

Set up in 1979, TAAN is organising various programmes to mark its silver jubilee year. Producing documentary of trekking areas, organising eco-trekking workshop and adventure conference, international travel writers and adventure tour operators conference, and workshop to minimise illegal trekking operators, partnership events, developing packages for domestic trekkers, publishing TAAN Silver Jubilee journal, launching a TAAN forest, exploring new areas, instituting TAAN journalist award, holding adventure camp for school students and constructing a TAAN building are the major activities to be conducted to mark the event.

Tek Bahadur Dangi, Acting Chief Executive officer (CEO) of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said that the board wants to solicit new ideas from the private sector to promote Nepal. "By working together, we can make a difference," Dangi said.

He said the gathering of Everest summiteers in Nepal to observe the Mt. Everest Golden Jubilee Celebration would help Nepal gain more international exposure and enhance the country's image as the ultimate adventure tourist destination in the world.

Extending a vote of thanks, Phurba Gyalzen Sherpa said that the association has been involved in mitigating environmental degradation in the mountain region. TAAN First Vice-President Nima Noru Sherpa, and coordinator of the Silver Jubilee Year 3002 Hari Man Lama spoke about the event.

Biodiversity meet issues Kathmandu declaration

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 28: The International Conference on Himalayan Biodiversity (ICHB-2003) concluded today after issuing the Kathmandu declaration which calls for establishing a Himalayan Biodiversity Data Base for the sustainable development, long-term study and management of natural resources.

The proposed ten-point Kathmandu Declaration includes various topics among which are the need for nation states in the region to incorporate/translate the provisions of treaties and conventions (such as CBD, Kyoto, Johannesburg) into national legislation, recommendation for a meaningful participatory biodiversity conservation approach based on indigenous knowledge and recommendation for the international community to pay special attention to the conservation and sustainable development of these mountain ecosystems and cultural landscapes.

Similarly the Kathmandu declaration has strongly recommended the establishment of institutionalised networking of policy makers, scientists/researchers and institutions and that the WTO respect the convention on biological diversity in particular for protecting the rights of communities and farmers who are the true custodians of biological diversities.

Likewise, the conference has opposed the extension of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime, specifically patenting life forms and genetic processes, which are the creation of millions of years of natural evolutionary process.

The three-day conference was participated in by about 200 scientists, managers, planners and practitioners representing 15 countries and national and international organisations.

The conference was organised by the Himalayan Resources Institute (HIRI), the Biodiversity Research Group (BRG), the Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, the Ecological Association of Nepal (ECOAN) and Nepal Biotechnology Association (NBA).

The main theme areas covered in the conference were Himalayan Flora and Fauna, biodiversity conservation, indigenous knowledge of biodiversity conservation, Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and ecotourism.

Likewise, the objective of the conference was to identify issues and options of biodiversity conservation, exchange ideas and explore areas of cooperation in research, implement action plans and integrate cross-cutting disciplines like ecotourism.

Addressing the concluding session of the conference, member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada said throughout the world biological resources are deteriorating rapidly, primarily due to what he called the 'Unsustainable approaches of human activities.'

Many changes such as decline of biological diversity, decline in health and function of ecosystems and decline in human quality of life have been seen as evidenced by increasing poverty in most of the countries of the world, he added.

The 10th plan gives highest priority to agriculture and biodiversity as a means to sustainable improvement in poverty situation, he said, adding that the strategy was to involve the local governments, community based organisations and NGOs in the promotion and conservation of biodiversity.

From the chair, Prof. (Dr.) Brajanandan Prasad said the conference aimed at conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biological resources and judicious and equitable harnessing of natural resources.

Tourism Products and Resources Development director at Nepal Tourism Board Subash Nirola, delegate Prof. Ohmi Ohnishi from Kyoto University, Japan, Prof. Govinda Prasad Sharma, secretary of the organising committee Ram Bhandari and convenor Dr. Khadga Basnet highlighted the importance of biodiversity.

US to tighten visa procedures for Nepalese

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb.28: The US Embassy in Nepal has prepared draft for new travel advisory for Nepal by updating the improved peace and security situations in the country following the announcement of ceasefire by the government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists), Consular at the American Embassy Steve Brault said here today.

Consular Brault, however, said that it would take time to revise the State Department's advisory before making it public. He also said that the provisions to gain visa for USA could be stricter in future.
"We will increase the number of questions to applicants for US visa from 15 March to screen those wanting to enter America under fake and false pretexts," he said. Presently, visa applicants seeking entrance to the USA have to fill up 41 questions.

He said that the number of visa applicants using fraudulent means is on the rise. "This hurts genuine Nepalese travellers willing to go to the USA," he added. The new strategies are aimed to discourage the fraud applicants.

He also said the Nepali passport lacked quality, and it has encouraged unscrupulous people to misuse and forge it.

The US Embassy has recorded a drastic increase in the number of visa applicants this year. The number this year has crossed 16,000, an increase of almost three-fold from the previous years, said Brault.

Nepalese are on priority to receive the Diversity Visa. Some 2,300 Nepalese received the DV lottery for the year 2002. The number in the year 2001 was only about 700.

CBS to conduct Nepal's living standard survey

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LALITPUR, Feb. 28: The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) is to carry out the Nepal Living Standard Survey from second week of April with the objective of finding out the actual standard of living of the Nepalese.

Expansion and nature of poverty and its factors will be given emphasis in the survey that will also incorporate the family's income, education, health, employment, agriculture and other socio-economic reports.

Inaugurating a training for supervisors and data-collectors of the Nepal Living Standard Survey Second Project-2003/04 here today, vice-chairman of National Planning Commission Dr Shanker Prasad Sharma said the survey will be helpful for the policy makers and prove a milestone for alleviation of poverty.

Director General of the Department Dr Smn Subhani said the survey is being carried out by 434 data-collectors with a country-wise representation and some 5240 families will be interviewed from every data-collection area.

Some 80 persons including supervisors and data-collectors are taking part in the 21-day training.
The first living standard survey had been carried in the Fiscal Year 2052/53 B.S.

The second survey is estimated to cost around Rs. 500,000 majority of which is provided by the World Bank and DFID.

Hindus observe Shivaratri today

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 28: Hindu devotees all over the Kingdom today celebrate the great festival of Mahashivaratri by worshipping Lord Shiva at various rivers, ponds and temples since early morning.
Shivaratri, thought to be the day on which Lord Shiva was born, is one of the four nights known as Kalaratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri and Shivaratri, and is regarded as one of the greatest festivals in the holy scriptures or Puranas.

This day is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the lunar month of Falgun and is believed to instill faith in those destined to live in trouble.

The Skanda Purana also mentions the importance of Shivaratri.

The religious belief is that if one offers milk, Dhaturo (a kind of intoxicating plant) and 'Belpatra' to Lord Shiva and observes a sleepless fast for the day, one will receive heavenly blessings.

The festival which is regarded as a national festival, consists of warming Lord Shiva in the belief that the Lord also feels cold on this day and people organise bonfires at public squares, houses, temples and shrines and perform prayers.

Four kinds of worship including Mahadip, Akhandadip, Lakshya Batti and Dipotsav as well as offering of Belpatra will be performed in four phases tonight, while classical dances are performed at the Kirateswor Music Ashram In Kathmandu, thousands of devotees from within and outside the country throng the Pashupatinath Temple from early morning and queue up for hours for a darshan of Lord Shiva.

Arrangements have been made to provide security, lodging, food, medical and communication facilities to the visiting devotees.

RNAC to fly Kuala Lumpur, Singapore

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 28: Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation is to operate regular flights from Kathmandu to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia via Singapore from March 31.

The flight which will leave Kathmandu Monday and Thursday nights will arrive back in Kathmandu at 11.25 AM after taking off in the morning from Kuala Lumpur.

The regular flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are being operated considering the increased number of Nepalese workers in Malaysia, and HMG's opening an embassy there and also for providing connecting flight for passengers going to Australia, New Zealand and America, it is learnt.

India to support Nepalese export

By A Staff Reporter

KATHAMNDU, Feb. 28: At a time when Nepal and India are striving to reach an agreement on extending Indian railways to the dry port at Birgunj and operating direct transport services between two nations, business communities from both the countries have stressed the need to thrash out early solutions.

They said the procedural problems that have been impeding the trade and economic activities between Nepal and India must be avoided for mutual economic benefits.

As Nepal is in the process of entering into the world trade regime, it must be aware of the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and try to adapt itself with global trade practices, said Tejendra Khanna, a former Indian trade secretary.

There should arise no problem between Nepal and India as they share common interests of promoting economic growth and poverty alleviation, he said. "But Nepal which has greater potential should focus on quality of products," Khanna said at the 8th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI).

Khanna who was the trade secretary during the Nepal - India Trade Treaty in December 1996, reiterated that the treaty had opened a 'big door' to gear up trade and economic activities between two nations. However, he said "Public service system must be made effective to deliver the service to the people. Development of working culture is a must," he added.

Ambassador of India to Nepal Shayam Sharan while addressing the gathering the businessmen stressed the need for concerted efforts of both Nepal and India.

In order to support Nepalese trade India has removed anti-dumping duty and luxury tax on the Nepalese goods, he said adding, "India always wants a prosperous Nepal."

He also announced that India is considering further support to the Nepalese export trade.
"But there should be willingness to tackle difficulties from both sides, he noted. Indicating the possibilities of joint efforts for economic development, ambassador Sharan said, " There are many areas like Information Technology (IT) in which Nepal and India could cooperate each other and find the global market for mutual benefit.

Arun K. Chaudhary, president of the NICCI pointed out the need for joint efforts for mutual benefits. The situation of misunderstanding and apprehension must not prevail. We should be open for economic development and mutual cooperation, he noted.

According to NICCI, India withdrew the anti-dumping duty imposed on two items exported form Nepal. The anti-dumping duties on acrylic yarn and zinc oxide was removed in November 2002.

Recently eleven states in India have also removed restriction on the import of Vanaspati Ghee.

'Railway link to Birgunj dry port soon'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHAMNDU, Feb 28: Assistant Minister for Industry Commerce and Supplies Jagat Bahadur Gurung today said that the agreement on extending Indian railways to the dry port at Birgunj would be very soon and come into operation within three months.

Assistant Minister said that at a programme organized by Nepal India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI).

He further said that trade relations between Nepal and India is vital for economic development of both the nations. He stressed the need for joint efforts to eradicate poverty and gain substantial amount of economic growth.

Security negligence cause of rhino deaths

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 29: More than three dozens rhinos were killed by poachers last year. This is the largest killing by the poachers of the rare animals in a single year.Rhinos are listed in the endangered animals.Altogether Fifty-five rhinos died that year - 50 in Royal Chitwan National Park and five in Royal Bardiya National Park. "Thirty-seven of them were killed by the poachers, either by shooting or by using electric trap," said Dr. Swoyambhuman Amatya, Director General of the National Park and Wild Life Conservation Department (NPWLCD).Eight rhinos died of natural causes; three after they touched live electric wire and three more by fighting with each other; two were killed by tigers, one died after consuming poison and one more was swept away by floods, said a report of the NPWLCD.
Among the dead rhinos, 20 were identified as male, 17 female. The sex of others could not be known.
In the previous year, 30 rhinos had died - 25 in Royal Chitwan National Park and five Bardiya National Park.An official at the Department attributed the deaths in such a large number to negligence on the part of the security guards.

But Dr. Amatya denies that security is slack. "Some have died of natural reasons, which is beyond our control," he said.Dr. Amatya, however, declined to elaborate why illegal hunting was on the increase comparing to the last year.

The Department has no record of the number of rhinos. In its census in 2000, there were 612 rhinos in the country.

It is estimated that currently there is not more than 600 rhinos as their number alarmingly decreased in the last two years.

"The Department only keeps the record of the dead rhinos. We do not keep the record of the newborn ones. This is why, we do not know the exact number of rhinos at present," Laxmi Prasad Manandhar, an official of the Conservation Education at the Department.

He said that the Department carried out census of the animals in the national parks in every five year. So one has to wait for two more years to know their accurate numbers, he said. Rhinos are slow breeding animals. Their birth rate is only four per cent.

It is not only the rhinos, but also the numbers of tigers are dwindling alarmingly. Six tigers died in the last year while eight have been killed so far in this fiscal year. There were 350 tigers in 2000, according to the census carried out three years ago.

A total of 16 animals including antelopes, gauri gai, elephants, leopards, wild buffaloes and python died in this fiscal year. Last year, the Department took action against 46 people on charges of poaching rhinos. A total of 35 people were wounded in the attack of the wild animals in the protected areas last year.

NRB to issue coins to mark jubilee year

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 28: Nepal Rastra Bank, Department of Mint, is to issue metallic coins of Rs 50 denomination tomorrow to mark the golden jubilee of Nepal Scouts.

Earlier, the World Scouts Organisation had issued gold and silver coins on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. Likewise, silver coins of Rs 300 denomination were issued in 2043 Bikram Year to mark the Jamboree of the Nepal Scouts.

During the course of 50 years since in its inception, the Nepal Scouts has had thirty thousand active scouts, it is learnt. Scouts stand for physical, mental, social and spiritual development and also render social and humanitarian services during natural disasters, it is learnt.